Kentucky Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Kentucky rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 4.3%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Kentucky peaked in April 2020 at 16.7% and is now 12.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.7% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.6 percentage points. You can also see Kentucky unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Kentucky	4.3%	+0.1	+0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Kentucky, National

Kentucky monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Kentucky Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Kentucky peaked in April 2020 at 343,028. There are now 255,783 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 76,361 in April 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 10,884. Kentucky job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Kentucky	87,245	+1,695	+6,992

Number of Unemployed Persons